Little La Grange, Carl and Marie Lawaetz Family Museum
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The Carl and Marie Lawaetz Family Museum showcases the Danish legacy on St. Croix through the story of one family who farmed Estate Little La Grange for three generations.
The home of one of the island’s oldest and most prestigious families is open to the public, showing a rare glimpse into plantation life (click here to learn more about life on a Caribbean Plantation). Set in a valley at La Grange, this 1750 farmstead has been owned by the Lawaetz family since 1899. A member of the original family acts as the guide on tours of the estate. Originally a sugar plantation, the estate was later turned into a cattle ranch for Senepole Beef.
The Senepole cattle is a uniquely Crucian creation. It was bred on the island by cross-breeding the N’Dama cattle from Senegal in West Africa with the Red Poll cattle which originated in the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk in England. The N’Dama was well suited for the Caribbean because of its heat tolerance, insect and disease resistance and the ability to thrive on poor quality forage. The Red Poll genetics were introduced to the N’Dama stock to improve milking ability, fertility and make them polled (selectively bred to lack horns).
The cattle are no longer to be found on the plantaion, however on the grounds are many other reminders of a bygone era. The 19 acres of land are filled with beautiful flowers and tropical trees and bushes.
Inside you can inspect the family heirlooms, many brought over from Denmark.
The story of the Lawaetz Family is nicely documented on the St. Croix Landmarks Society web-site.
Little La Grange, Carl and Marie Lawaetz Family Museum
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To see one of the other great plantations on St. Croix, Whim Plantation, please see this post.
Twitter: ljsaltiel
| October 24, 2012
Looks like a great location and place to visit Mark. Well captured.
Twitter: JimiJones
| October 24, 2012
Cozy looking place, man. What a piece of history. Nice job photographing this, Mark.
Twitter: twitter (username)
| October 24, 2012
Beautiful spot. Great shots mark.
Twitter: twitter (username)
| October 24, 2012
Great couple of pictures Mark! I love the history you have written about it as well, really adds to the overall picture of the photos. Wonderfully bright summer images as well!
Twitter: ToadHollowPhoto
| October 25, 2012
Great shots here Mark! I think your compositions are both very sympathetic to the architecture and it’s surroundings!
Twitter: jimnixaustin
| October 25, 2012
these are just so vibrant Mark, beautiful shots
Twitter: twitter (username)
| December 25, 2014
If you’re interested in reading a historical novel set in the Danish West Indies, I suggest you try Transfer Day by Sophie Schiller, which brings to life the last days of a floundering Danish sugar colony in the West Indies with all its charm, nuance, and color.